How to become a firefighter

[maggersmagoo]

I have not seen any info about this on this board. I live in Southern California. I'm not sure what competition is like here for firefighter positions. I know it is competitive for police officer positions, then again there are a lot more of those available.

What are the steps involved in becoming a firefighter (paid, not volunteer). I looked at the LAFD website which lists the hiring procedure but I know that is only part of the story. Once you have become EMT certified, is it possible to get hired from there or do you need to work as an EMT for a while? Can you get hired without having someone in the upper ranks looking out for you? How long does it take? I've heard it takes a couple of years, but what is going on, or what do you need to be doing those couple of years?

As for the physical part, anyone have any idea percentages of women who fail the physical agility tests? If you have never been a great athlete, do you have a chance?

Sorry for all the questions, I just have not been able to find this info out elsewhere. I hope to gain some insight from some of you experienced women out there.

Thanks!

[ember]

Hello,

Because I live in Florida, I can only tell you the process here. Once you have your EMT certification, you go to fire school (if you pass the agility test, which, unfortunately, most women here do not). Then you can start looking for a job. I was offered a job at both places I applied to, as were most of the females I know, however, it isn't always that easy. Some departments have strict physical agility tests that are the main form of testing, while others rely more on written tests. The most important piece of advise I can give you is this; it's going to be a long, hard road, whatever happens, and if you really want this, don't give up.

Working out is essential. You should ask for a copy of the agility test that you'll be required to pass for fire school. Take that to a personal trainer and have them work up a schedule for you, as well as a diet.

Good luck.

Ember

[andigirlff]

Most physical agility tests on the west coast are "job simulation" tests. They require you to perform tasks that are similar to what the job entails like pulling hose, dragging a dummy, etc. About 1/3 of female applicants pass. Usually when they fail it is due to a lack of upper body strength. About half of our female applicants either can't perfom an specific part of the test (usually hoisting a hose with rope through a 3rd story window) or they are able to manage the individual parts of the test but can't complete the whole thing in the required time. My advice is to start weight lifting, concentrating on your shoulders and arms. Get information on the test from departments you are considering and if they offer practice sessions be sure and do them.

You don't need to "know someone" to get hired. Most departments are looking for qualified female applicants and would be delighted to hire you if you have the qualifications. Good luck!

[mark440]

Originally posted by andigirlff
Most departments are looking for qualified female applicants and would be delighted to hire you if you have the qualifications. Good luck!
Most departments are looking for QUALIFIED applicants, doesn't matter whether you are male or female. Fire departments are delighted to hire qualified, apt, able PEOPLE for the job.
Good luck...

*Mark

[andigirlff]

Most departments are looking for QUALIFIED applicants, doesn't matter whether you are male or female.
It's the ones that don't believe there is such a thing as a "qualified" FEMALE applicant that you have to look out for.

[mark440]

Originally posted by andigirlff

It's the ones that don't believe there is such a thing as a "qualified" FEMALE applicant that you have to look out for.
No, this attitude comes from those that are not qualified, whether that is physically or mentally or educationally, not from the department itself. 98% of the tests women fail are the physical agilities tests. Almost all of these tests are job based. They do not discriminate because you are female or male. If you can pass the damn test then you are physically qualified. If you can't pass the test, be it written or physical then you think you are discriminated against simpley because "you don't have upper body strength" or "because you are female". That isn't the case. There are just as many men that fail those tests as there are women, if not more men. I molded my body and mind into that of a firefighter. It is just as easy for a female as it is for me or anyone else.

My opinions....

*Mark

[andigirlff]

I don’t have a problem with physical agility tests if they are crafted so that they accurately test skills and abilities used by firefighters. I’ve heard of tests that only test strength such as lifting weights. How do they determine how to test that? Military press? Squats? Bench press? How do they pick what that weight is? How do they correlate the results to the job. I feel much better about tests that require you to drag charged hoselines and lift ladders than seemingly random weightlifting performance. I certainly don’t think that the women should have one standard and the men another. It’s the same job. The ladders, hoselines and vent fans are just as heavy when I lift then as anyone else.

My concern, and reason for my comments above, is that some people (male and female) think they will inherently be compromising their standards by accepting female firefighters. NO woman is good enough.

[mark440]

Originally posted by andigirlff
I don’t have a problem with physical agility tests if they are crafted so that they accurately test skills and abilities used by firefighters. I’ve heard of tests that only test strength such as lifting weights. How do they determine how to test that?
Lifting weights, lifting hose, lifting ladders, lifting an unconcious firefighter. What do they have to do with the job? In order to be in shape and prepared for anything that you may encounter in this job you must be strong. You won't get physically stronger reading books and looking through the 'net for jobs. You must go out and workout, lift weights and build your muscle and cardiac stamina and strength.

In my county, two fire districts have never accepted a female applicant. They always find a reason to fail them, be it a written or physical test or oral interview.
I bet that they have rejected male applicants in the same manner as the females. Where does that make it sexual discrimination? What that makes it is "qualification discrimination"

It sounds like your department isn’t that way and I would advise “Magersmagoo” who started this thread, work hard to prepare herself mentally and physically and then apply at a department like yours.
I welcome anyone to apply with my department. We had a CPAT test in May. Out of forty some odd people, there were two who failed the test. One male and one female. They were both equally dismissed. If you or Magersmagoo would like an application for the fire department I work for, e-mail me and I'll send you an application!:D

Regards,

*Mark

[andigirlff]

Lifting weights, lifting hose, lifting ladders, lifting an unconcious firefighter. What do they have to do with the job? I don't know what you do in your department, but that's what we do here in Washington State. I can't remember the last time I arrived on scene and was asked to bench press anything.

While I don't think you and I see eye to eye on everything, at least you say you're willing to consider any applicant that applies. I appreciate your input and hope this discussion has been fruitful.

[mark440]

Which muscles do you use to remove a ladder off the fire engine? That nearly mimicks a bench press, except that you are standing and not on your back. I meant that quote you included to be sarchastic, that is just the way I am. We do all those, except the unconcious firefighter, on a regular basis here in Utah. I pray to God that my or your partner never goes down, but if they do, I'll be right there for them, in the very best physical condition possible.
You're correct, we don't see eye to eye (probably due to vertical limitations) but we understand the gyst of the topic at hand. I'm very open to anyone wanting to get on the job. We have 1 female firefighter and 1 reserve female firefighter on the department I work for, and you know what? We work in different engine companies, and when they get on the scene at a job, they are suited up, I'm suited up, I have no idea those two are women, that is how well they do thier job! I'm very proud to work with who I do. If you want to hear something funny, the Administrative Assistant (who is female) is more negative toward women coming in and picking up applications then anyone else. But she doesn't administer the test or interviews, so her biasness doesn't affect the applicants in any manner. We strive to "uninvolve" those who have negative feelings towards equality.

*Mark

[andigirlff]

Well I still think we ought to just ask applicants to put a ladder on and off a engine rather than try and figure out how much they must be able to bench press. Moving the ladder uses far more muscle groups than bench pressing, plus balance, coordination and teamwork (after all, we do just about everything on the fireground in teams).

PS In case you have the wrong impression, I'm all for weight lifting. Very few women naturally have the strength to do this job and weight lifting is the best way to build the necessary strength.

[andigirlff]

I'm not offended. I welcome your opinion. I want to hear other viewpoints. If you truly have never experienced any kind of discrimination then you are very lucky and I hope in time every prospective firefighter, black, white, male, female, short, tall, etc, etc, can honestly say they have never been discrimated against.
If you are implying that your district is discriminating solely on your sex or the sex of other's it is my opinion that you are mistaken.
I would like to clarify, that it's not MY district I'm talking about.

I don't think suing a department is ever going to result in changed attitudes. The only way to accomplish that is women working side by side with the men getting the job done.

[mark440]

Originally posted by andigirlff
, I could sit you down with a chief from a small rural district about 50 miles from here and he'd probably tell you to your face that a woman can't do the job.

That is his opinion. He is entitled to it just as much as you or I. That is his constitutional right. BUT, he cannot base his hiring practices on his opinion, we all know that. So when he does not hire accordingly then it becomes a legal issue. This sounds like a civil court battle if he hires like this.

*Mark

[fiirrefly]

Becoming a firefighter in So Cal area is just as tough for the guys as it is for the gals. I'm originally from San Bernardino County area. Put myself through a fire academy at the local community college, became an EMT, worked in the field as an EMT on private ambulance for 2 years, became a paramedic, and am currently working as a firefighter in Georgia. I found it easier to become a firefighter in another state due to the competition out in Southern California.
The first thing you need to do is go down to your local fire station and talk to the guys/gals there so they can guide you in the right direction. Then check out your local community college, where they offer fire classes (including the fire agility classes) that can help you prepare for a fire academy. Take an EMT class so you can see if this is really what you want to do, plus most dept's want you to be EMT or Paramedic certified and be working in the field for at least 6 mos. to 1 year. Check out volunteer fire programs, seasonal jobs with Forestry or CDF, because most dept's are looking for someone with fire experience. Start taking fire tests that you're eligible to take, because that gives you more experience with that portion of the hiring process. Plus, look at options to test out of state, because you can always go back home once you get the experience.